Motion of suspended weights: arcs, compound motion, impetus
Pendulum studies numbered 39-41, with compound movement gaining speed toward the end of its course
A page of mechanics propositions, all headed Moto, accompanied by small marginal diagrams of weights hanging on cords and a spanned bow-like device (figures 39, 40, 41). Leonardo states that the part of a swinging arc sharing more in natural motion is always the larger, and that motion created by suspended bodies running freely consumes itself. He observes that motion is faster when force and a blow are added, that compound movement outruns simple movement, and that the flight of compound movements grows toward its end while a driving instrument throws bodies farther as its impetus increases near the close of its course.
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The larger part of a swinging arc
In the swing of a suspended body, the part of the arc that shares more in the natural (downward) motion is always greater than the remainder of the arc. Every free motion of a suspended body eventually consumes itself.
Compound versus simple movement
A body moved by compound movement travels faster than one driven by simple movement, and the flight of compound movements grows near its end while the simple one fails at the same point. Adding force and a blow to the natural course increases speed.
Pendulum and device sketches 39-41
Small marginal diagrams show weights hanging from cords and a bow-like mechanism, illustrating the suspended-body motions discussed. Each is tagged with a figure number.